Welcome to the October edition of American Farmland Trust's monthly E-newsletter, featuring the latest on farm and ranch land protection, agriculture and the environment, planning for agriculture, local food and more.

Farms and farmland remain cornerstones of many Connecticut communities. To help towns proactively plan for the future of agriculture, American Farmland Trust and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities completed a joint publication: Planning for Agriculture: A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities. The guide covers a broad range of tools available to help local governments address the economic and land use needs of farmers and to help create a supportive atmosphere for agriculture. Topics covered include the benefits of farms; involving farmers in town decision-making; planning and zoning tools; right-to-farm ordinances; subdivision regulations; financing local farmland protection; addressing common issues; and promoting local farm viability.

Support for Local Farms and Local Food Comes in Many Sizes

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As the farmers market season comes to a close in some parts of the country, retail stores are often the only option for food consumers during the late fall and winter months. A recent AFT poll found that 58 percent of respondents think major retail stores should play a larger role in supporting local farms and food. Some retail and wholesale outlets are already doing their part to help sustain local farms and farmland. In Texas,H-E-B grocery storeshost farmers markets in their parking lots, while local food advocates in the New York City region are working to develop a new wholesale farmers marketto supply retailers and restaurant chefs. In North Carolina, Eastern Carolina Organicsis helping rural family farmers access urban markets while protecting the state’s farmland.

Around the Country

Suffolk County, New York, a model for the country in farmland protection and creator of the country's first Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement program, saved its 50th farm.